Sports Blog: 01/11/22 – Radically Rational

Sports Blog: 01/11/22

Georgia won.

Georgia won because the Bulldogs were the best team in college football this season. Georgia won, because Georgia has a slightly better overall roster than does Alabama. Georgia won because the Bulldogs were more physical than the Tide, particularly in the fourth quarter. Georgia won because the Bulldogs were the fresher and more focused team in the fourth quarter. Georgia won because the Dawg defense often made Bryce Young look like he is just two years removed from high school, which he is. Georgia won because after turning the ball over, leading to an Alabama’s only touchdown of the night and giving the Tide the lead, the Bulldogs made a conscious decision to get hyper-aggressive rather than hyper-tense and conservative. Georgia won because ultimately Kirby Smart and his staff out-coached Nick Saban and his staff. Georgia won because it made better adjustments following the SEC Championship Game than Alabama did. Georgia won in part because Tide Offensive Coordinator Bill O’Brien had no real counter-move. Georgia won because that is a generationally-great defense, and that still matters as much as it ever did.

Alabama lost. Alabama is still the greatest program in college football. Alabama lost because stuff happens. Alabama lost because in a rematch between good teams, the winner of the first game is almost always at a disadvantage. Alabama lost because the right side of its offensive line has been shaky all year, and that bit them in the tookas at crucial times Monday night in Indy. Alabama lost because it was Georgia’s time.

So, did Alabama “not belong” in the championship game because the Tide lost? Did Cincinnati and Michigan not belong in the CFP, because they lost in the semis? You do realize that somebody has to lose these games, right?

This was about the “cleanest” season we’ve had in college football in the CFP Era. The committee selected the right four teams, and seeded them in the right order. Nobody got “jobbed” or “cheated” or (oh, please) “disrespected.”

They got the best four teams. The best of the four won the title.

We don’t need 16. We don’t need eight.

I’m already looking forward to next year’s Georgia-‘Bama rematch.

Yes, I admit it. It’s fun to watch your heads explode.

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Paul's Bio

I clearly have the attention span of your median fruit fly.Look! Airplane!

Sorry. I’m back.

It’s both a curse and a blessing. I’ve never bought this stuff about, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” But I do think that a wide range of life experiences helps us grow as people, and helps us better relate to other people. I’ve been fortunate. And I am beyond grateful.

I show up on time. I go like hell. I’m a good listener. I hold myself accountable. I own my mistakes. And I have a natural and an insatiable curiosity. I’m never afraid to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t. But then I try to find out.

The flip side is I’m a lousy ballroom dancer and my clothes sometimes fit me funny.

Stuff matters to me. I care. But while I take that stuff seriously, I try hard to never take myself seriously. As a result, I have sometimes been told, “Paul, it’s hard to tell when you’re serious and when you’re just having some fun. Which is it? Serious or fun?”

My answer is “yes.” But I think that is a legitimate criticism. I promise I’m going to work on that.

This has been the quickest and strangest half-century I’ve ever experienced. During that period, I’ve been afforded amazing opportunities in news and sports journalism across all platforms. I have taught wonderful students at the high school and collegiate level. Always, I learned more from them than they did from me. I’ve been a high school administrator. I spent ten seasons as a high school varsity football coach. I’ve been an advertising executive. I’ve hosted nationally syndicated television entertainment shows. In maybe the biggest honor I ever received, I was selected by NASA to be “Chet The Astronaut” for the “Land The Shuttle” simulator at Space Center Houston. (All I can say there, is “Do as I say, not as I do.” I put that thing in the Everglades more often than not.) Most recently, I just wrapped up a decade as a television news director, during which time our teams distinguished themselves in holding the powerful accountable, achieving both critical and ratings success.

What does all that mean? It means I am profoundly grateful. It also means I’m ready for “next.” So here we are. Radically Rational. It’s an idea I woke up with in 2017. I scribbled “Radically Rational” on a piece of notebook paper and used a magnet to stick it on our refrigerator. I saw it every day, and it just would not leave me alone.

I am second in charge at Radically Rational, LLC. My wife, Jo (also known as BB), is the president. Clearly, I have failed in my attempt to sleep my way to the top of this organization.

I hope you will learn that I’m loyal as a Labrador. But I will admit that this doggie can bite every now and then. My promise to you? I will show up on time. I will go like hell. I will listen to you earnestly and attentively. I will hold myself accountable. I will never be the least bit hesitant to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t.

But then I’ll try to find out. Let’s do it.